Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the condition in which coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to plaque build-up. This can reduce or block blood flow to the heart, which can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, heart attack, and other symptoms.
CAD is categorized into three types.
Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (OCAD) is a specific form of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in which plaque build-up blocks the arteries. This can restrict or even prevent blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle, leading to chest pain (angina), heart attack, and other symptoms.
Unlike obstructive coronary artery, this CAD type isn’t caused by plaque build-up. Typically, it is the result of artery problems like:
Spontaneous coronary artery, also called SCAD, occurs when the coronary arteries completely or partially block blood circulation without a clear cause, often occurring in people without traditional risk factors for heart disease.
SCAD can lead to chest pain, heart attack, and other symptoms and can occur in both men and women, including young and middle-aged individuals. The underlying mechanisms of SCAD are not fully understood, and the condition is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed.
In South Africa, it is estimated that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular illnesses (CVDs) such as coronary artery diseases, cause 43% of all adult fatalities.
CAD is often a chronic condition. You might not experience any signs of coronary artery disease for a long time. Plaque development might take years or even decades. However, when arteries start thinning it may cause minor discomfort. It is a sign your heart is pumping harder to supply blood to your body.
A heart attack may appear as the initial sign of CAD in some cases. Heart attack signs and symptoms include:
Risk factors for CAD typically include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and a family history of heart disease. However, the following are the leading risk factors of CAD.
Age: As you get older, your risk for CAD increases. After age 45, the risk is higher for men and those with AMAB (assigned male at birth). After age 55, the risk increases for women and those with AFAB (assigned female at birth).
Family history: If any of your biological relatives suffer from heart disease, you have a higher risk of developing an artery blockage. Determining whether your family members have suffered from heart disease is crucial. This may imply that they had a young age of diagnosis (brother or father before age 55, sister or mother before age 65).
Cardiovascular conditions like these can also increase the risk of:
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is typically diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Some of the tests used to diagnose CAD include:
The diagnostic tests may vary based on the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. The choice of tests will depend on the doctor’s judgment and the patient’s specific needs.
Treatment for CAD may include lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery.
Your medical professional can prescribe Common medications, including aspirin, cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), blood pressure-lowering drugs (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers), and blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants) to manage the symptoms.
Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare provider are important to track the progression of CAD and ensure effective treatment and management strategies.
It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to create an individualized treatment plan that considers each patient’s specific needs and medical history. Effective management and treatment of CAD can improve quality of life, reduce the risk of heart attack and other complications, and help prevent further disease progression.